The Paranirvana of Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche

The head of the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, has passed into paranirvana on Wednesday (December 23) in the holy city of Bodh Gaya, where he was to attend the Nyingma Monlam and thereafter return to his Monastery, Thubten Dorje Drak Monastery, in Shimla.

Rinpoche, 89, is reportedly in the state of Thuk-dam or Parinirvana, the final meditative stage before nirvana. Although clinically dead the body sustains warmth and does not decay during the Thuk-dam.

According to Ugyen Tenzin, a senior monk and a close aide, Rinpoche wakes up around 2:30-3 AM to do his morning rituals and prayers. “However, on the day of his passing he got up around 1 at night and completed his morning prayers and rituals before passing into Thuk-dam state at around 2:30 AM,” said Ugyen.

“His remains, probably, will be brought back to Shimla for final rites after the Nyingma Monlam is over,” said Ugyen Tenzin.